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After nearly six months of continuous work on an effort to expand library services, Student Government representatives at The University of Texas at Austin can now make an initial success official.

At 8 p.m. on October 15, the University of Texas Libraries and Student Government will formally launch 24-hour service at the Perry-Castañeda Library, with a small celebration to follow in the University Federal Credit Union Student Learning Commons.

In order to fulfill one of their central campaign promises, Student Body President Thor Lund and Student Body Vice President Wills Brown, with support from Student Government staff, have spent the last half-year working to secure funding for 24-hour service in a pilot period for the current 2012-13 academic calendar.

The PCL will open for 24-hour service on October 14 to coincide with the mid-term exam period and continue through the end of final exams for the fall 2012 semester. Extended hours will return in the week preceding spring 2013 midterms and will continue through the conclusion of the semester.

The PCL is restricted to university students, faculty and staff from 10 p.m. – 7 a.m.

Student government representatives were able to obtain commitments from the Office of the Provost, the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Texas Exes to make 24-hour service a reality at the university’s central library branch.

"We are happy to help bring tangible results to campus that reflect the needs of the students,” says a statement from Lund and Brown. “Students will now have a 24-hour safe, secure and centrally located study space on campus. This is a big win for Longhorns."

Student leaders are continuing work to identify funding sources in an effort to make the extended hours permanent after the initial pilot period ends.